Compression sponge mop



Aug. 2, 1960 P. K. O'CONNOR EI'AL COMPRESSION SPONGE MOP 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 29, 1955 ATTORNEYS.

Aug. 2, 1960 P. K. OCONNOR ETAL v COMPRESSION SPONGE MOP 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 29 1955 ATTORNEYS.

1 niedsms 7 2,941,014 COMPRESSION SPONGE MOP Philip K. o ci i r, Riverside, and Stanley J. Stomiany, 1 1 Chicago, 11]., assignors to American-Marietta Company,

- i te nate :Filed June 29,1955,Ser.No. 518,867

3'Claims. 01.15419) I This invention relates to a compression sponge mop, [and 'moreparticularly to a mop which may be manipulated by 'slidable handle means for the squeezing of a mop body to remove liquid therefrom.

An object of the present invention is to provide a mop structure in which an elongated sponge body is folded upon itself in a squeezing operation with the full pressure being exerted over the entire length of the sponge. Another object is to provide in such a mop structure means for pressing the sponge against a stationary base plate for an effective compressing of the sponge. Still another object is to provide a foldable', sponge mop which is physically easier to squeeze by reason of new mechanism'which permits greater controlled pressure to compensate for variations in compression resistance of the sponge. Yet another object is to provide in a compression sponge means for permitting movement of the compression plates relative to the base to make the squeezing operation easier whileat the same time providing a controlled pressure, as above stated. Other specific objects and advantages will appear as the specification proceeds.

The invention is shown, in illustrative embodiments,

by the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a sponge mop embodying our invention; Fig. 2, an enlarged broken front view in elevation with portions in section; Fig. 3, a view similar toFig. 2 but showing the sponge being compressed and in a folded position; Fig. 4, a perspective view of a modified form of mop structure embodying our invention; Fig. 5, an enlarged front view in elevation of the structure shown in Fig. 4 and showing the sponge being compressed; and Fig. 6, an enlarged front view in elevation of the structure shown in Fig. 4.

In the embodiment shown Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, 10 designates an elongated sponge body which may be of cellulose, sponge rubber, or any other suitable form of mop body. The sponge is secured to compression plates 11 and 12 by any suitable means. For example, the plates 11 and 12 may be perforated to receive threaded studs 13 which extend through a canvas or fabric top 14 and into metal plates (not shown) embedded within or secured to the sponge body 10. Since such structure is'well known, a further detailed description herein is believed unnecessary. Wing nuts 15 engage the threaded studs '13 and secure the compression plates 11 and 12 to the sponge body 10.

Centrally disposed between the plates 1 1 and 12 is a head plate 16 having side flanges provided with spaced slots 17 and 18. The compression plates -11 and \12 are provided with side flanges 19, which enclose the flanges of the head plate 116, and rivets or pins 20 extend through the flanges 19 and slots 17 and 18 so as to hingedly connect the compression plates 11 and 12 to the head plate 16. The pins thus provide not only a hinge connection, but a sliding connection between the compression plates 2,947,014 Patented Aug. 2, -196( and the head 16 permitting the compression plates to move laterally with respect to the head plate.

A handle 21 is shown rigidly connected to the head plate 16 and over the handle extends a sliding tube or actuating handle 22, a handle piece 23 being integrally formed with the upper part of the tube 22. Fixed to the lower portion of the tube 22 is a wing fitting 24, to

which are securedby rivets diverging toggle links 25.

Operation lln the operation of the structure shown in Figs. '1 to 3, inclusive, the mop is used in the normal fashion for absorbing water on a floor, etc., with the parts shown in the position illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. When it is desired to expel the water or other liquid, the actuating handle 22 is pressed downwardly to cause the compression plates 11 and 12 to fold the sponge 10 upon itself, as illustrated in Fig. 2. In this operation, the pins 20 move progressively from their inner positions, as illustrated in Fig. 1, to their outer positions, as shown in Fig. 3, thus improving the leverage angle and bringing about a controlled pressure compensating for variations in the compression resistance of the sponge. Thus the full pressure of the action is brought to bear over the entire length of the sponge. Further, in the operation described, it is found that the base fiat head plate 16' serves an important function in that it compresses the central portion of the sponge which is thrust upwardly against the plate 16. As the actuating handle 22 is retracted, the springs 29 are effective is restoring the plates (11 and 12 to their initial horizontally-aligned positions.

In the foregoing operation, the folding of the sponge upon itself is found to be considerably easier by reason of the change of position of the pivot pins 20, while at the same time a controlled pressure is provided which compensates for variations in the compression resistance of the sponge while in the end exerting even and full pressure over the entire length of the sponge.

'In the modification shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6, the hinge slots 20a, instead of being located in the flanges of the head, are now located in the flanges 19a of the compression plates 11a and 12a. The pivot pins extend through the slots 20a and the flanges 19a of the compression plates, and thence through side flanges 30 of the head plate 16a. The toggle links, actuating handle, and other structures, are substantially the same as shown in the structures of Figs. 1 to 3, and the operation of the structure is substantially the same as that described in connection with the structure of Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive.

While, in the foregoing specification, we have shown specific structures in considerable detail for the purpose of illustrating the invention, it will be understood that such details of structure may be varied widely by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of our invention.

We claim:

1. In a compression sponge mop structure, an elongated sponge :body, a head plate member positioned above said body centrally thereof, compression plates on either side of said head plate member for folding and compressing said sponge body between them during wringing,

a handle secured to. Saidshead plate member, an actuating handle associated with said first-mentioned handle, toggle link members extending between said actuating handle and said compression plates, and hinge connections comprising cooperating slots and pins connecting the head plate and thecompression plates, each of,-said compression plates being rotatable .about its respective ,hinge connection, said hinge connections permitting lateralshifting of the inner ends of said plates away from compress said compression plates about said sponge to foldit upon itself, said lateral shifting of the inner ends ofthe compression plates being in addition to any lateral componentofmovement of said endscaused'by rotation of said plates about their respective hinge connections,

each of said hinge connections serving at least during the latter part of the wringing operation as a fulcrum against which its associated compression plate bears to apply wringing pressure to the sponge compressed between said plates.

2. The structure of claim 1, in which the head plate is provided with side 'flanges having elongated slots therein one another when said actuating handle is moved to 10 4 and said -compression plates are provided-withenclosing flanges having pins therein engaging said slots.

3. The structure of claim 1, in which the compression plates are equipped with side flanges having slots therein aligned with said head plate and in which the head plate has side flanges carrying pins engaging said slots.

References Cited inthe file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS France Dec. 29, 1954 

